The Marion County Tournament started on Tuesday night with one of the opening round games pitting the Southport Cardinals against the Wildcats of Lawrence North. The Wildcats jumped out to a quick lead that they would never relinquish, winning by a score of 59-50.

 

Lawrence North was propelled by a pair of double-doubles from senior Kevin Easley and sophomore Tony Perkins. Easley finished with a game high 18 points and coupled that with 11 rebounds, while the 6’2" Perkins used his quickness and length to notch 11 points and 12 boards. LN forced Southport into several turnovers in the first quarter due to their press and were able to get a couple of easy transition baskets because of it. To go along with the 29 points from Easley and Perkins, the Wildcats got 12 points from Jared Hankins and 11 from Mike Saunders Jr.

 

 

Southport would settle down against the pressure, but had difficulty establishing anything on the interior against the size and athleticism of Lawrence North. Brian Miller led the Cardinals with 12 points, while sophomore point guard Brevin Jefferson finished with 10 points and 5 assists. Ryan Lezon and Eddie Schott each scored 9 points.

 

 

Lawrence North advances to the quarterfinals Wednesday where they will face Brebeuf Jesuit at Brebeuf.

 

 

 

Southport            13  11   13  13  -  50

Lawrence North  19  16  10  14  -  59

 

Southport: Brian Miller 12 points (4/12 FGs, 2/7 3Ps); Brevin Jefferson 10 points (3/9 FGs, 4/4 FTs), 5 rebs, 5 asts, 2 stls; Eddie Schott 9 points (3/6 3Ps); Ryan Lezon 9 points; Chaz Hinds 6 points (2/8 FGs); Matthew Munoz 4 points